Human error could be cause of Hercules crash: Expert

PHOTO: Jakarta Post/ANN

A military expert has said the crash of a Hercules C-130 belonging to the Indonesian Air Force in Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday, could have been caused not only by the aircraft's poor condition but also human error.

"On the crash of the Hercules C-130 on Jl. Jamin Ginting, Medan, North Sumatra, there are many possible causes. Apart from the age of the airplane, human error could have caused the incident. It is possible that the pilot could not control either the field or the aircraft," Susaningtyas Nefo Handayani Kertopati said as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Hercules aircraft are still the main transportation facility for the Indonesia Air Force. The old manufactured airplanes with four high-wing turboprop engines are known as aircraft with the capacity to land and take off from a short runway.

Hercules aircraft currently operated by the Air Force were produced in 1964.

Although they are old, the Hercules planes are reportedly still considered 'proper' for various missions, especially missions conducted by the Indonesian Air Force.

Earlier, Air Force chief of staff Air Chief Marshal Agus Supriatna said the Hercules aircraft with body number A-1310, which crashed in Medan on Tuesday, suffered from technical problems.

"On whether the problems were in the engines or something else, we still cannot confirm it yet," he said.

Agus said the presence of technical problems could be seen from the pilot's wish to return to Soewondo air base in Medan.

However, the aircraft crashed into residential settlements on Jl. Jamin Ginting Medan before it could reach the airport's runway.